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It is about a shotgun to pinfire type Lefaucheux, barrels juxtaposed in (false) Damas, stock in walnut (?) imitation American walnut tree, trigger guard with festoons, locks “behind”, tested with St Etienne and of gauge 12 (the figure 17.2 on one of the barrels indicates the diameter of this last to height of the choke, and such a figure corresponds to gauge 12).

SEYVE J = SEYVE Jean, gunner, street of Low Vernay, 23 in Saint Etienne, around 1868.

In short, it would be about a French production located, undoubtedly, in the third quarter of the 19th century.

It is about a shotgun of the hammerless type. The key of opening is of type “Top Lever”.

PV surmounted of a stylized lion: test with the smoke-free powder. In use of 1898 to 1968.

D = 70 m/m /20.7: length of the room in mm and diameter in mm after optional test with the smoke-free powder. In use of 1892 to 1924.

Choke 17.5/18.4: chokes barrels, gauged in mm to 22 cm of the breech and the mouth. In use of 1910 to 1924.

NF in an oval lying: this mark wasn't found in file, in any assumption it could possibly act of the arms manufacturer of Liège Noël FRANSQUET (see the website).

CHRISTOPHE L.: gunsmith in Brussels Gallery of the Queen around 1912. It is him who sold the weapon.

Garanti pour poudre sans fumée (Guaranteed for smoke-free powder): this mark is in fact a publicity.

It is about a revolver of the type “BULLDOG” of origin of Liège. The percussion is central. The gauge is of 450. The cylinder is with 6 shots. The barrel with sides is striped, it carries a front sight in half-moon. The cartridge supply is practiced by the door (pretense missing) right back. The curved trigger is placed inside an oval trigger guard. The squared plates seem to be in walnut. They are joined together by a central screw.

WEBLEY: this mark was struck the barrel in a rather disordered way. It is absolutely not the mark of the famous English manufacturer!

It is extremely possible which this weapon was recently chrome because it does not seem to present any trace of wear.

The weapon does not carry any mark making it possible to identify its manufacturer, it will thus remain anonymous, which was very current at the time.

It is about a revolver top break of the type S&W. The opening is practiced by raising the cylinder placed on the top of the weapon. The barrel is with 5 blows of ignored gauge. The cylinder is striped and equipped with a front sight in half-moon. Both grips do bakelite seem to be out of, they also carry an illegible monogram which could be the initial ones of the manufacturer of Liège??

- PAULUS, Jean (BE 1924/1929) street J.Hermesse, 69 in Jupille. FROM 1904 à1926, it deposits 6 patents.

This last could be appropriate but I do not have anything to confirm this possibility!

LL - NR in a circle - letter a: it also acts of markings of not identified subcontractors.

Il s’agit d’un fusil de chasse à percussion centrale et canons juxtaposé de calibre 28 (14,4 mm). La platine est carrée et la clé de brisure (ouverture) « Top lever ».La crosse en noyer est de type « pistolet ».

L’arme porte les poinçons réglementaires du banc d’épreuves de Liège, soit :

PV surmonté d’un lion stylisé : épreuve à la poudre sans fumée, en usage de 1898 à 1968.

28-65 dans un oméga : calibre nominal et longueur de douille, en usage du 30 juin 1924 à nos jours.

J F & C° : marque du fabricant liégeois JANSSEN Fils & C° rue Lambert le Bègue, 4. BE 1895/1937)- Voir le site pour plus de renseignements.

It is about a rifle of the type MARTINY HENRY (calibres been unaware of?) manufactured in Liege as the punches of tests attest some below. Except error of my share, it could be a question of the model “sporting files” using cartridge 577/450

This weapon does not carry any mark unfortunately making it possible to identify the manufacturer.

Is it about a pistol flintlock type “Navy hollando-Belgian” (1815/1830) with civil destination because he doesn't it carry any Belgian military punch nor Dutch seems it?

This weapon was already identified on our site (See Belgian lawful weapons) with in particular crowned mark DN of the manufacturer not identified.

S and Cie: it is probably about a mark of manufacturer or of subcontractor (not identified)

N crowned: countermark of the controller of the proofhouse, of use of 1853 to 1877.

Anchors of navy with two partially unobtrusive letters (D C??): This mark probably belongs, but without certainty, at firm O.P. Drissen & Co.

The weapon carry punch ELG* in a vertical oval of the proofhouse of Liège meaning its final acceptance of use of 1818 to 1893. That gives us an invaluable indication on its origin.

It is about a revolver not identified with central percussion. The cylinder with 6 shots is smooth (full) the trigger guard is with volutes. The barrel is round with half-round front sight. The grips are in walnut squared. The round rod with head is maintained in a system with spring under the barrel.

The gun carries following engraving “F. CLAUDIN Bté to Paris, data base of the Italians, 38. Celebrate Parisian arms manufacturer.

Il s’agit d’une carabine genre "WARNANT" dite de "sport" de calibre 22 Flobert. Le pontet est à volutes. Le chien extérieur et le guidon (tenon mortaise) de type trapézoïdal. La crosse est vraisemblablement en "fruitier".

Cette arme porte les poinçons réglementaires du banc d’épreuves de Liège, à savoir :

Marque représentant un lion dressé sur ses postérieurs et tenant un mat à drapeau avec l’indication ACIER FIN. Cette marque ne figure pas dans ma documentation.

Il s’agit d’un fusil de chasse à percussion centrale et deux canons lisses juxtaposés de calibre 16. Le système est de type "hammerless" avec d’ouverture "top lever". Les platines sont dites "en avant" et sont gravées d'arabesques ainsi que la marque FORGERON. Bien que non complètement visible, la crosse me semble être façonnée "à l’anglaise".

L’arme porte les poinçons réglementaires du banc d’épreuves de Liège, soit :

PV surmonté d’un lion stylisé : épreuve à la poudre sans fumée, en usage de 1898 à 1968.

16-65 dans un oméga : calibre nominal et longueur de la douille, en usage de 1924 à nos jours.

CHOKE 17.0 et 16.3 (si bien lu ?) : canons chokés, calibrés à 22 cm de la culasse. En usage de 1924 à 1968.

BROU : j’ignore la signification de cette gravure, peut-être s’agit ’il de l’endroit de résidence du propriétaire ??

A. FORGERON : il s’agit du fabricant liégeois FORGERON Alphonse, rue Adolphe Borgnet, 5 à Liège. Il était inscrit au banc d’épreuves liégeois de 1880 à 1932. L’entreprise a été reprise en 1932 par BOULANGER, Joseph, rue St Léonard, 492/494.

ACIER COMPRIMé CAP – Tête d’aigle : CAP Henri, Joseph était fabricant de canons de fusils, à Liège rue Jonruelle, 62. L’intéressé était titulaire de 4 brevets d’inventions.

It is about a revolver of the type “BULL DOG” with central percussion. Calibre 6,35mm. The rifled bore is with 8 sides and carries a front sight in half-moon. The trigger is folding without trigger guard. The rod is folding under the barrel. The stick carry two plates not of origin, are they rather coarsely cut in a wood not identified and are maintained by two screws each one !!

The weapon carries the lawful punches of the proofhouse of Liège, that is to say:

PV surmounted of a stylized lion: test with the smoke-free powder, of use of 1898 to 1968.

A crown + F.A.R. Patented system: Fabrique d’Armes Réunies S.A. Street Trapped, 22 in Liege. Registered trademark 29.12.1910.

It is about a rifle of living room or garden with central or annular percussion (nonvisible on the request?). The lock is of type WARNANT. The barrel is with 8 sides. The English stick seem me to be out of fruit-bearing wood.

ELG* in a crowned oval: (read so well?) final Acceptance of use of 1893 to 1968.

C. CLEMENT LIEGE: mark from the manufacturer Charles Clément, street Chéri, 37 in LIEGE. Activity of 1883 to 1912. Author of 35 improvement and patents. He will also deposit 14 trademarks (see the site).

LLA Or H? : In any assumption marks of the manufacturer of barrels of rifles Laurent LOCHET HABRAN of Jupille.

ML: Does assumption mark of the dealer Manufacture liégeoise d’armes à feu??

Il s’agit d’un fusil à silex à un coup. Le canon est à huit pans. La platine est de type « en avant » et la contre platine à deux vis. Le chien est en col de cygne. La crosse semble être en bois de fruitier ?

Sur le site il y a un J. Valet, cela pourrait être Jean, Jacques ou Joseph, c'est impossible à dire. On ne peut pas savoir s'il s'agit du même ou pas !

La mention "A Liège" ne nous aide pas non plus puisqu'il s'agit d'une arme du 18ième que la Belgique n'existe qu'à partir de 1830!!

La mention HDL frappée sur le canon appartient vraisemblablement au fabricant de canons de fusils originaire de la vallée de la Vesdre (entre Liège et Verviers) mais il ne figure pas non plus sur la liste des canonniers !?

Appel est lancé à nos lecteurs pour l’éventuelle identification de cet armurier liégeois du 18^e siècle ?

Il s’agit d’une carabine fabriquée à Liège à 1 coup de type Gewehr 88 à percussion centrale. Le canon long est de calibre 10,4 mm. Le chargement/déchargement se pratique à l’aide d’un verrou. La crosse (bois ?) est de type pistolet. (Le fusil à répétition Gewehr 1888 fut adopté par l'Allemagne en remplacement du Mauser 71/84. Il fut remplacé en 1898 par le Mauser Gewehr 98.C'est le premier fusil à tirer la 7,92 mm Mauser)

ELG* dans un ovale couronné : acceptation définitive, en usage de 1893 à 1968.

Les 3 barres différemment positionnées sont des marques d’équipeurs. Ceux-ci marquaient leurs pièces presque en chiffres romains.

In the years 1850-1860, there was in Birmingham a certain John Plumb Clabrough, arms manufacturer, who travelled in all USA and installed one or two workshops, inter alia in San Francisco. It then returned to England, and later his son joined Johnstone and still another fellow, also arms manufacturers, who took again his business.

The company Clabrough & Johnstone was known for their conversions into small gauge of rifles Lee Enfield and Lee Metford.

The top of the barrel is marked “Johnstone - Pittsburgh”, but it was tested in Birmingham, since it carries the punch (law of 1813) 2 cross sceptres + crown+ letters BPC and the indication of the calibre in a rhombus. With my opinion, this weapon must date from the beginning of the years 1900 (the Calbrough-Johnstone firm seems to have existed until 1925 (Approximately). The wood was also repaired by a manufacturer of cans (instead of resticking with wood pin). I did not find other details up to now.

If one looks in Flayderman, pages 745 and following, one finds the list of the American manufacturers of “damascus double”, but not trace of Calbrough nor of Johnstone. This rifle resembles those done by Ithaca (style of the hammers), but that wants nothing to say.

The part that you have is a rare weapon, it's pity that it is not in very good conditon but perhaps that a restoration in the respect of its age made by a professional could return a better aspect to him!?

This weapon is not the system Martini-Henri, but the system Martini-Francotte, it is Francotte which modified the system Martini, very complicated to dismount, while making it very simple to dismount and to clean!

The mention “Machine made by A. Francotte &Cie” means that it is one of the first weapons which was manufactured with the machine, and not manually. That made it possible Francotte to manufacture weapons whose parts were interchangeable, which did not exist at the time.

The marking "Fait pour MR. ED. Wenig St. Petersburg" means “Made for Mister ED. Wenig St Petersburg”. It is thus an order this people (Perhaps a gunsmith).

It is about a pinfire pocket revolver of the type LEFAUCHEUX manufactured per thousand in the area of Liege at that time. The cylinder is smooth and probably with 6 shots. The trigger is curved without trigger guard. The plates of grips joined together by a screw are smooth. The rifled bore is with eight sides without front sight (lost?) the hammer is with head punt for cartridges with pin. The rod is also missing?

The weapon carries the lawful punches of the proofhouse of Liege, that is to say:

AR coupled and spangled: countermark of the controller, of use of 1877 to 1968.

ZTB: it is probably about a trademark. It is not known in Liege. It has, in any assumption, struck by the dealer not identified!

Il s’agit d’un fusil de chasse à percussion (cap and ball) fabriqué par la société CENTAURE à LIEGE dans les années 1960/1970. Ces reproductions ont eu un certain succès à l’époque. Les canons en acier sont juxtaposés et lisse, ils sont de calibre 18 mm qui correspond à du calibre 12. Les chiens sont extérieurs et destinés à frapper les amorces (capsules) posées sur les cheminées. Les platines sont de type « en avant ». La double détente est sous pontet. Une baguette métallique est maintenue sous les canons. La crosse façonnée à l’anglaise est en hêtre, le hêtre est nettement moins chers que le bois utilisé pour les armes de qualité qui était toujours le noyer.

L’arme porte les poinçons réglementaires du banc d’épreuves de Liège, soit :

ELG dans un ovale vertical non étoilé : canons bouchés, en usage de 1893 à nos jours.

Votre fusil est donc une arme moderne, fabriqué dans les années '70 par la société "Fabrique d'armes unies de Liège".

It is about a revolver with (seems-it to me?) annular percussion. The loading is practiced by the right back door with cartridges with annular percussion and carrying the mark B (?).

The weapon carries an engraving representing of the foliage and the birds. The grips of wood (?) are carved of foliage and finish by a ring and without screw-pivot. The trigger is curved in an oval trigger guard. The rod under the barrel is maintained by a small metal tube into which it is slipped and fixed by a small screw. The barrel (gauges?) is round and is surmounted by a rectangular band with front sight and bead.

The weapon carries the lawful punches of the proofhouse of Liege, that is to say

There is one (very) weak possibility that this mark belongs LEFAUCHEUX, the immense arms manufacturer known in the whole world.

It is about a rifle pinfire of draft of Liège. The barrel is with 8 sides. The stick (wood?) English is with cheek. The opening is practiced using a side key. The hammer is posed on the right side. The trigger guard is with volutes.

The weapon also carries a trademark or the initial ones of the owner, is GL (read so well?) in a vertical oval. Couldn't this mark be identified??

R in a circle: could be a mark (armed Belgian?) of a company of bomb disposal experts???

INVENTION P.L. N° 82 GEVELOT: Jules-Felix GEVELOT was a French industrialist (1826/1904) owner of a factory of cartridges with Isy Moulinaux!

This weapon is a rifle of which the patent of improvement at summer deposited in Belgium under number 20241 by My sieurs Lagrèze & Pidault on February 27th, 1867, patent which makes following several patents deposited both in France and in Belgium.

Invention P.L. N° 82 Gevelot means that the invention is of P(idault) L(agréze) and that the manufacturer is Gévelot.

Patents in France on June 13th, 1842 for the invention of a cylinder head turning on an axis (This rifle was manufactured by Gevelot), on June 16th, 1842 for a rifle with loading by the cylinder head and on July 12th, 1848 for simplification of the turntable.

He is also holder of the patent of the revolver Pidault é& Tevis deposited on May 16th, 1856, for the revolver Pidault & Cordier péposé on May 28th, 1860 (known under the name “Raphaël Revolver”), and finally for a rifle with loading by the cylinder head Lagrèze & Pidault on February 25th, 1867.

Il s’agit d’un revolver à percussion centrale et carcasse fermée. Le canon est à 8 pans avec guidon en demi-lune. Le barillet alvéolé est à 6 coups. La baguette est articulée. La détente est courbe dans un pontet ovale. La crosse est constituée de deux plaquettes en bois (noyer ??) quadrillées. Elles sont maintenues par une vis centrale, les rosettes de laiton sont rondes. Le chargement/déchargement se pratique par la portière latérale droite s’abaissant grâce à l’action d’un ressort interne.

Le poinçon ELG* dans un ovale couronné (peu visible) indique l’acceptation de la visite au banc d’épreuves du 11 juillet 1893 au 26 février 1968.

It is about a revolver with central percussion. The cylinder is smooth and seems to be with 6 blows (non visible on photographs). The loading is practiced via the door of loading placed on the right side of the weapon. The rifled bore is with 8 sides with bodies of aiming. A rod sliding in two eyelets is fixed on the right side under the gun. The stick consists of two plates out of wooden smooth (Walnut ?) and fixed by a central screw at ears. It ends in a metal ring and its screw-pivot.

"MEYERS PATENTS" is “probably” the gunmaker of Cheratte (Liege) MEYERS Guillaume, Joseph, author of 6 Belgian patents deposited of 1866 to 1879. The absence of first name on the mark complicates the identification considering other manufacturers of the area of CHERATTE carried the same patronymic?! (See the site).

It is about a revolver with central percussion and box frame. This weapon is “drop system” i.e. the barrel perhaps rocked towards the line using the lever placed under the barrel!

If I am not mistaken, this weapon corresponds to the patent n° 062109 of 19 July 1883 deposited by the arms manufacturer Jean WARNANT of Hoignée-Cheratte.

It is about a revolver with central percussion of type “BULLDOG” of origin of Liège. The smooth cylinder is with 6 blows. The loading/unloading of the cartridges is practiced by a door on the right side of the weapon. The trigger is curved under oval trigger guard. The probably striped barrel is short and round with a frnt sight in half-moon. The squared grips are kind “ebony or false ebony”. They are fixed by a central screw and two brass rivet washers.

At the time, the weapon passed in the hands of various corporations of arms manufacture and the least important left a mark often not identified on the weapon.

It is about a revolver with 10 shots says “mitrailleuse” (machine-gun). The cylinder is with 10 blows with pin in only one line of rooms on the cylinder. Gauges it is not indicated, 7 or 9 mm?? Already Lefaucheux had manufactured revolvers with 12 blows, CHAINEUX of Liege followed with product many revolvers of this type.

The weapon also carries the initial P.J which remain not identified. Is it' a manufacturer, a subcontractor or simply the first purchaser? I am unaware of it, sorry!

Shotgun to central percussion and locks of “hammerless” type. The opening is practiced using a key known as “Top Lever”. The unrifled bores of gauge 16 are juxtaposed. Locks ahead are engraved “with bouquets”. A safety with slide of the Galand type is placed behind the key Top lever. The stick in walnut of worked "with English".

PV surmounted of a stylized lion: test with the smoke-free powder, of use of 1898 to 1968.

16-65 in the letter omega: gauge nominal and length of the casing. In use of 1924 to our days.

1Kg358: weight of the barrel which can draw from the smoke-free powders (smooth weapons) except for the gram. In use of 1924 to our days.

Choke 16.9: chokes barrels: gauged to 22 cm of the breech. In use of June 30th, 1924 at February 1968.

Bow with arrows in a circle: mark of the Liège manufacturer CAP & GILLES Réunis S.A. manufacturers of barresl of rifles, street Chéri, 40 in Liege around 1924.

Cette arme est un "Pistolet de cycliste", également appelé "pistolet à moineaux" ou même "VeloDog", ou encore "pistolet de facteur", calibre 6mm bosquette, canon lisse, fabriqué à des milliers d'exemplaires en Belgique ou en France vers 1895-1905 et exportés dans toute l'Europe. A l’achat de …., vous receviez un petit pistolet cycliste en prime !!

Il en existe de toutes les tailles et modèles, certains ont un éjecteur et une culasse à guillotine. Ces éjecteurs et guillotines pouvant être munis de leviers de toutes tailles

Certains n’ont même pas cela, il faut enlever la cartouche tirée avec une tige par l’intérieur.

La plupart ont été fabriqués en France ou en Belgique, vendu "en blanc" en Allemagne, et éprouvé à Brême. Le U surmonté de deux couronnes est le poinçon officiel de Brême et signifie "untersucht" (éprouvé).

Finition peu soignée, mais folklore oblige. Ces machins se vendaient par paniers entiers sur les marchés et étaient offerts en prime à tout acheteur d'un vélo (ou d’autre chose).

Ces petits pistolets, dont certains ont un canon allant jusqu'à 20 cm et présentent parfois une finition acceptable sont amusants à collectionner, il y a des dizaines de variantes.

Il s’agit d’un fusil de chasse à double clés de type Lefaucheux. La percussion est centrale et les chiens sont extérieurs. Les canons lisses (calibre ?) sont juxtaposés. Les platines sont dites "en arrière".

L’arme porte les poinçons réglementaires du banc d’épreuves liégeois, à savoir :

EL en lettres anglaises : épreuve provisoire, en usage de 1852 à nos jours.

LEPAGE et F. CHAUVOT Bté : il s’agit des inventeurs parisiens de cette arme qu’ils ont fait fabriquer à Liège la main d’œuvre y étant moins chère ! Le fabriquant liégeois quant’ à lui n’a laissé aucune marque permettant de l’identifier.

Rifle with vertical percussion (with pin) of type LEFAUCHEUX made in Liege by an arms manufacturer remained unknown. That was often the case Mr. H.GRENU in NANTES was patentee (unknown?) which related to this weapon i.e. an unspecified improvement of Lefaucheux rifle. The weapon is with double key Lefaucheux. The trigger guard is with volutes. The stick in walnut is worked "with English". Engraving is "with bouquets". Locks are of type “behind” and the hammers of the dolphins type.

The weapon carries the punches indicating its origin i.e. the proofhouse of Liege, namely:

The manufacturer of Liège unfortunately did not leave any mark or indication allowing to identify it !

Shotgun to central percussion. The two barrels are juxtaposed (in table). Locks are of type “hammerless” with key of opening “top lever”. The stick in walnut is worked "with English".

The weapon carries various punches of tests which I tried to decide between as follows:

Choke 18.3: chokes barrels, gauged to 22 cm of the breech. In use in Liege of June 30th, 1924 before February 26th, 1968.

NP surmounted of an armed wing of a saber: Ordinary test with the smoke-free powder on the barrel (London)

Etablissements Britte Liège Belgique (Establishments Britte Liege Belgium): it is the manufacturer of the weapon installed with LIEGE-VIVEGNIS, 252 street of Cheratte by 1924. (See the site)

Médaille d’or au grand prix de l’exposition universelle Bruxelles (Gold medal with the Grand Prix of the World Fair Brussels): without comment. Probably the exhibition of 1935.

Head of eagle: it would be about a mark of the manufacturer of barrels of rifles CAP Henri street Jonruelle, 62 in Liege.

Obviously is it about a copy (Cap & Ball) of the revolver COLT 1853 manufactured by the firm of Liège “Cléments Arms C°”.

The plates of grips don't seem to me origin? The cylinder with 6 blows is smooth and with central percussion.

The punches are difficult to decipher. I think without certainty of having located the letters AH crowned which would belong to the controller of the proofhouse valid of Liège of 1877 to 1968? (It is your odd mark!!)

The weapon thus carries a marking far from readable (Clément Armes C°), which would belong to the manufacturer well-known inhabitant of Liège at the time is Charles Clement street Chéri, 37 in Liege. It was active of 1883 to 1912 (year of its death) It was the author of 35 patents and 14 trademarks.

It is about a shotgun to juxtaposed barrels. Those are different gauges is 9mm and of the 22. The system is of type WARNANT. Is it difficult for me on photographs to determine if it is about a system with central or perhaps annular percussion? The stick in walnut is of “cheek”. The trigger guard protecting two triggers is with volutes.

The weapon carries the lawful punches of the proofhouse of Liege, that is to say:

This weapon is system WARNANT but any mark of any manufacturer does not seem to carry.

It is about a shotgun of the type LEFAUCHEUX conceived to draw cartridges with pin. The juxtaposed unrifled bores seem to be of gauge 15 (17.6 mm). The trigger guard with volutes recovers two curved triggers. The two hammers are with head punt. The buttplate "on return" is engraved as most other metal parts.

The weapon presents the lawful punches of the proofhouse of Liege, that is to say:

AL BERNARD BREVETE (PATENTS): only one Bernard Al of Liege appearing in documentation appoints the agent of a Belgian patent in 1855 for a new Damas applicable to the barrels of weapons of luxury and Damas known as lengthened. Would it be thus here the manufacturer of barrels of rifles and not the manufacturer of the weapon which remains anonymous?

It is about a rifle WARNANT to annular percussion. The rifled bore is with eight sides with front sight (tenon-mortise) and bead out of V. The extractor is with ear. The trigger is curved and is protected by a trigger guard with volutes. The metal buttplate is "on return". The stick "with English" seems to be in walnut.

This weapon does not carry any punch of the proofhouse of Liege although this weapon is originating in this city.

WARNANT PATENTS: mark of the inventive of Liège. The Warnant family was well represented in the circle of the arms manufacturers of Liège. Most important was Jean Warnant at the beginning of the 20th century (see the site). The absence of first name makes the identification difficult, 15 arms manufacturers bearing this name!!!

MLI (read so well?) in an oval lying: it is probably the manufacturer of Liège of the weapon or possibly a subcontractor.

It is about a copy of Liège of rifle with English percussion 1878 TOWER with one shot also carrying the English royal crown.

This weapon carries the lawful punches of the proofhouse of Liege, attesting of its Belgian origin.

ELG* in a vertical oval: it is the mark of final acceptance, of use of 1846 to 1893.

It is about a revolver called “to rocker” or “top break” of type S&W. The lock is with simple and double action. The cylinder is smooth and comprises 6 rooms (gauges not communicated?). The opening starts by a button placed on the console right side behind the barrel. The rifled bore is with 8 sides with front sight in half-moon. The grips consists of two plates in walnut (?) squared connected by a transverse screw and two rivet washers. It ends in a ring and a screw-pivot. The curved trigger is protected by an oval trigger guard.

P. behind the cylinder: I am unaware of the significance of it, perhaps acts it of a mark of subcontractor.

RDA: this mark can-being incomplete and thus difficult to identify. Idem for the resembling drawing perhaps representing a fish?

The weapon is of “type "Jean WARNANT" of HOGNEE-CHERATTE (Province of Liège) which carried out many models of revolvers top break. Its mark does not appear however on the present weapon. Perhaps' it is about a very frequent copy at the time and not signed of course!!

Il s’agit d’un fusil à percussion mono-coup à brisure. Le canon, vraisemblablement lisse, est à 8 pans et est fixé par deux "brassadelles". Il porte les organes de visée habituels comme le guidon inséré par tenon-mortaise et le cran de mire à plusieurs positions. Le canon est fixé dans la batterie par une seule vis et un crochet. Le chien est placé sur le flanc arrière droit. Ce qui me semble être une sûreté est placée à côté du chien, elle pénètre par glissement dans le corps de la platine pour venir bloquer l’ouverture (brisure) du canon ? La détente sous pontet ovale est courbe. La crosse en noyer est façonnée à l’anglaise. Le tenon fixe à l’extrémité du canon devrait servir à la fixation d’une baïonnette ?

Cette arme présente divers poinçons du banc d’épreuves de Liège, ce qui nous indique son origine liégeoise. Soit les poinçons suivants :

MB – J.D – GD : il s’agit vraisemblablement de marques de sous-traitants non identifiés ayant participé à la fabrication de l’arme.

CM dans un ovale couché : il s’agit très vraisemblablement du marquage du fabricant. Il s’agit peut-être d’une marque appartenant à Charles Masquelier, fabricant d’armes à Liège rue de la Cathédrale, 94 (1911/1925) bien que je pense, au vu des poinçons, que ces dates sont trop tardives.

It is about a revolver of the type R.I.C. (Royal Irish Constabulary) Bulldog or Puppy following its size (nonvisible on the photographs). The cylinder is with ellipses. The trigger is folding under the frame (without trigger guard!) the rod with head of nipple is articulated. The barrel is with 8 sides with semicircular front sight. The plates of grips are invisible.

The weapon carries the lawful punches of the proofhouse of Liege, that is to say:

C crowned: it acts with my opinion of marking of the manufacturer of cylinder of Herstal.

F.F. in an oval lying: I think that it is the mark of the manufacturer but this one is not indexed in my documentation.

FASTRE-FRAIKIN, Francois, gunmaker with Housse (Province of Liège) author of 4 patents of 1889 to 1902.

It is about a shotgun to central percussion, the hammers are external and the key of opening “Top Lever”. Locks are of type “behind”. The triggers double are protected by an oval trigger guard. The steel barrels are juxtaposed with decorated central band. The weapon is equipped with a forearm not very visible on the photograph?

E12-65 in an omega: gauge nominal and length of casing, of use of 1924 to our days.

PV surmounted of a stylized lion: test with the smoke-free powder, of use of 1898 to 1968.

Letter "f" into tiny: yearly letter of 1927. Date of manufacture of your weapon.

1Kg 636: weight of the barrel which can draw from the smoke-free powders (smooth weapons) except for the gram. In use of 1924 to our days.

ABV in triangle: who could be the unknown mark of a manufacturer of barrels of rifles of the valley of Vesdre (between Liege and Verviers).

D crowned: mark of DELCOUR-DUPONT Jean, manufacturer of barrels of rifles with FRAIPONT-NESSONVAUX (Province of Liège).

The weapon does not carry the mark of the “manufacturer” itself. That was a relatively current practice at the time.

It is thus about a shotgun to central percussion, with external hammers and unrifled bores "in table". The opening is practiced using a key known as “Top Lever” placed on the top of locks, those are of type “ahead”. The weapon comprises a double trigger under oval trigger guard. The stick is said “to English” out of wood of walnut!

With regard to the punches, they are of origin of Liège, i.e. the profhouse of this city:

28-60 (read so well) in an omega: gauge nominal and length of the casing, of use of June 30th, 1924 at our days.

Choke 14.0: chokes barrels, gauged to 22 cm of the breech. In use from June 30th, 1924 to February 26th, 1968.

TROXADO DAMASCO: twisted Damas, although that is not visible on the photographs (wear?).

The weapon most probably intended for export does not carry any mark of manufacturer as that was often the case to avoid customs taxations.

One cannot give exact date but the punches of the proofhouse gives a fork of 1924 to 1968.

FLACHAT (mais lequel) et Merley Delmont sont les fabricants de votre fusil. L'un a vraisemblablement fabriqué les canons, et l'autre l'arme entière.

Ce qui suit est l'ensemble des réponses que j'ai reçus, certaines sont en "Vieux François", ce ne sont pas des fautes, c'est normal. Ils se sont amusés !!

Il FRAPPE AVANT QUE LA FLAMME NE BRILLE, suivant le collier de la Toison d'or le symbole est un "fusil" c'est-à-dire en vieux français un briquet, une pièce de fer qui, battue contre un silex permettait de créer le feu. Naturellement le mot fusil s'est ensuite adapté pour devenir une arme. Il est naturel qu'un armurier sans doute féru d'histoire s'empare de ce symbole.

Au sens étymologique cela veut dire que le chevalier ne frappe que si on le provoque. Il portera le coup dès la moindre provocation avant qu'elle devienne brillante. Cela s'applique à tout blasphème ou contre l'honneur chevaleresque.

Elle-même se compose d'une belle toison dorée, que l'on retrouve aux cous du Bon et du Téméraire sur tous leurs portraits, mais aussi de briquets et de pierres illustrant la devise de l'ordre : Ante Ferit Quam Flamma Micet (Il frappe avant que la flamme ne brille), et dans lesquels on trouve deux B entrecroisés, montrant la souveraineté du duc sur les deux Bourgogne (le duché et le comté, aujourd'hui Franche-Comté, voilà qui devrait achever de convaincre nos camarades franc-comtois de rejoindre nos rangs).

on parle de Briquet à pierre ( silex ) il frappe avant que jaillisse la flamme ou la lumière

They are a pair of pistols known as “Scottish” with percussion. The system with box is equipped with a central hammer with percussion. The grips is in walnut of good quality, it ends in a metal cap equipped with a starter receptacle with lid in the shape of shell St Jacques. A fine floral engraving decorates the box.

The weapon also carries a mark (of the manufacturer?) GM not identified as such but which could perhaps correspond to the one of the arms manufacturers following inhabitants of Liège:

In theory this kind of weapon is rather made to draw at very short distance, almost with the contact!!

It is about a small revolver with annular percussion said “Vélo-dog”. The calibre is of 6 mm. The short barrel is with 8 sides with front sight in half-moon. I am unaware of if it is striped because not announced! The hammer is with ball. The cylinder with 5 blows is long to accept the long cartouche vélo-dog. The rod is articulated. The trigger swell without trigger guard is folded up in the carcass. Both grips are out of black wood (ebony or false ebony?) and are fixed using a central screw.

PV surmounted of a stylized lion: test with the smoke-free powder, of use of 1898 to 1968.

L crowned: could it belong to a manufacturer of barrels (Herstal) not identified?

The amount of stick carries several marks of which some are illegible, that is to say:

Il s’agit d’une carabine à un coup de type WARNANT de calibre 9 mm. Le canon est à 8 pans et le pontet à volutes. Le système de percussion est de type WARNANT bien connu. La crosse à l’anglaise semble être en bois de fruitier.

L’arme porte les poinçons réglementaires du banc d’épreuves de Liège, à savoir :

RW : marque du fabricant liégeois WARNANT René, inscrit au banc d’épreuves liégeois de 1912 à 1956. Il est l’auteur de 4 brevets d’invention. En 1934, il reprend l’activité de WARNANT Emile.

AD JANSEN ARMURIER BRUXELLES (gravé sur la crosse) : il s’agit du revendeur bruxellois bien connu (voir le site).

Il s’agit d’un fusil à verrou à un coup et à percussion centrale. La crosse en bois de noyer est façonnée à l’anglaise. Le canon d’acier est rond. Cette arme de fabrication liégeoise n’est pas clairement identifiée. Elle porte néanmoins les poinçons du banc d’épreuves liégeois, à savoir :

ELG* dans un ovale couronné : acceptation définitive, en usage de 1893 à 1968.

Il ressemble étrangement au fusil "Gras" français, sauf le fait que le verrou est coudé mais peut-être ce modèle existe t'il dans les différentes fabrications du fusil Gras !?

It is about a shotgun to double juxtaposed barrels (gauges?). Locks are known as “behind”. The hammers are external. The key superior is known as “Top Lever”. The double trigger is under oval trigger guard. The forearm is not enough visible to determine its type. The stick in walnut is worked "with English".

The weapon also carries the mark of the manufacturer, that is to say FAND HANQUET LIEGE, it acts of the arms manufacturer of Liège Ferdinand HANQUET registered with the profhouse of Liège of 1872 to 1920. The company will be taken again in 1920 by the Fabrique d’Armes Unies de Liège (F.A.U.L).

It is about a shotgun of the hammerless type to central percussion. The weapon operates using the key superior “Top lever. The weapon is equipped with a safety of the type “Galand”. The stick in walnut is of standard “pistol”. The barrels of gauge 16 are juxtaposed. The double trigger is protected by an oval trigger guard. The forearm is of type “with pump”. It carries a rich animalist engraving gilded on arabesques.

Stylized lion surmounting letters PV: test with the smoke-free powder, of use of 1898 to 1968.

Choke 16.2/17.0 and 15.5/17.2: chokes barrels gauged in mm with 22cm of the breech and the mouth. Of use from 2/25/1910 to 6/30/1924.

P1Kg31,6 (read so well?): Weight of the barrel which can draw from the smoke-free powders (smooth weapons). In use from June 11th, 1892 to June 30th, 1924.

D=65/19,0: length of the room in mm and diameter in mm after optional test with the smoke-free powder. In use from 6/6/1892 to 6/30/1924.

M.C.C.T in a circle: punch of manufacturer of barrels for firearms not identified?

J F and C * in a vertical oval: it is the mark of the manufacturer of Liège JANSEN Fils & Co, street Lambert the stammerer, n° 4. This firm was registered with the ^proofhouse of Liège of 1895 with 1937. It deposited 2 patents for a rifle hammerless with central fire. The firm deposited 28 trademarks.

Mécanisme par la fabrique d’armes de guerre de Herstal: mechanism manufactures by the F.N. HERSTAL!!

It is about a revolver top break of the type S&W to central percussion. The opening is practiced while drawing on the higher pedal in front of the hammer. The cylinder with six shots (gauges 38?) comprises a star extractor. The long barrel is round with a hollow band superior. The grips are out of wood (walnut?) smooth and are maintained by a cross screw.

The weapon carries the lawful punches of the proofhouse of Liege, that is to say:

FDC 440: it is the mark of the manufacturer François DUMOULIN in LIEGE (Proofhouse 1894/1968) (more complete answer on our site).

Il s’agit d’un revolver à percussion centrale, barillet à 6 à coups, canon mi rond et mi hexagonal avec guidon en demi-lune. La détente est courbe avec pontet ovale à repose à doigt. Les crossettes sont en bois quadrillé noir (noyer ??) avec vis centrale de maintien. La crosse se termine par un anneau et sa vis de calotte.

Modèle NS 1885 et NS : il s’agit des marques du fabricant ! Il pourrait s’air de :

- SIMON Noël, industriel, rue Fontaine, 260 à HERSTAL, auteur de 10 brevets de 1873 à 1892.

- It is about part of shotgun to central percussion of type “hammerless”. The two juxtaposed barrels, of gauge 20, are smooth. The double trigger is under trigger guard.

- The weapon carries the lawful punches of the proofhouse of Liege, that is to say:

P.1K114: weight of the barrel which can draw from the smoke-free powders (smooth weapons) except for the gram. In use of June 30th, 1924 at our days.

D= 70/17.7: length of the room in mm and diameter in mm after optional test with the smoke-free powder. 1892/June 30th, 1924.

15.0 - 15.8: chokes barrels, gauged in mm to 22 cm of the breech and the mouth. 1898/1910.

J.G on the barrel: probably a manufacturer of barrels of rifles which I could not identify.

A. GODEFROID J. LEJEUNE-FAUVE SUCCURSALLE LIEGE: In 1885, Godefroid A. shares its activity with Godefroid N. and its brother Godefroid Gustave. In 1913 the activity is taken over by Lejeune Fauvé.

It is about a shotgun to central percussion and external hammers. The key of crack is of standard “Top lever”.

Locks are known as “behind”. The double trigger is under oval trigger guard. The forearm carries a kind of opening which is unknown for me. The stick in walnut is of standard “pistol - to cheek”.

The weapon carries the lawful punches of the proofhouse of tests of Liege, that is to say:

CHOKE 16.7/16.9: chokes barrels, gauged in mm to 22 cm of the breech and the mouth. In use of the 25.02.1910 to the 30.06.1924.

The manufacturer of Liège did not leave any visible mark, it will thus remain unknown.

It is about a shotgun to central percussion, hammers external and key of opening “top lever”. The barrels in fine Damas Boston are smooth and of gauge 16. The metal butt plate is with reasons in particular an eagle with the spread wings. The lock called “ahead” are engraved arabesques. The double trigger curved is under an oval trigger guard. The stick of form “pistol” is out of wood of walnut.

The weapon carries the lawful punches of the proofhouse of Liege, that is to say:

16,4/17,0: chokes barrels, gauged in mm to 22 cm of the breech and the mouth. In use of 1910 to 1924.

Not for ball: chokes unrifled bores. In use of 1878 to 1897. These dates are not compatible with others, I am unaware of the cause of it.

J-B Rongé Son in Liège: manufacturer well-known inhabitant of Liège. See the site.

23995 and 23018: marks of manufacturing struck the weapon (guns and battery).

H.W: mark of manufacturer of barrels of rifles of Vesdre (Liege) not indexed.

C'est un Darne R15 (5 symboles Darne ressemblant à un panneau de sens interdit), donc le plus luxueux de la gamme des R qui vont du R10 au R 15 ensuite on monte en gamme et on passe à la gamme "P" (P16, P17, P18) puis à la gamme "V" du 19 au 23 Hors série!

Pour avoir le modèle, il suffit de compter le nombre de poinçons ronds sous la frette et ajouter 10.

Le R10 est marqué type 10.Puis les autres qui n'ont que des poinçons ronds sont:

Les R ont des obturateurs convergents à partir du R13;comme les P et V.( sauf les premières années vers 1900)

Le démontage des canons des R s'opère en basculant un verrou dans la table, alors que les P et V ont un poussoir devant le pontet.

Ce fusil est chambré en 12-65; a subi la triple épreuve à la poudre T à l'état de livraison (foudres)

Les ets Bruchet-Darne à Saint-Etienne peuvent quelque fois donner l'année de sortie avec le N°.

With the risk to strongly disappoint the owner of the weapon, it cannot in no case to be a question of a production of Lebeau-Courally because the weapon is not signed and especially its type and the quality (?) of completion does not correspond to the standards of Lebeau-Courally.

Moreover the punches indicate a manufacturing between 1877 and 1893, but Lebeau-Courally exists only since 1920!!

It is about a shotgun to central percussion. The unrifled bores of gauge 12 are smooth and juxtaposed. Double closing with bolt is actuated by the lever between the hammers. Locks are known as “ahead”. They are decorated with animalist reasons and arabesques. The double trigger is protected by an oval trigger guard. The wood front is of type “with pump”. The stick of walnut (French?) is of standard “pistol”.

The weapon carries the lawful punches of the proofhouse of Liege, that is to say:

PV surmounted of a stylized lion: test with the smoke-free powder, of use of 1898 to 1968.

D= 70%/20.7: length of the room in mm and diameter in mm after optional test with the smoke-free powder. In use of 1892 to 1924.

Choke 17.6/18.3: chokes barrels, gauged in mm to 22 cm of the breech and the mouth. In use of 1910 to 1924.

P1K562, 1: weight of the barrrel which can draw from the smoke-free powders (smooth weapons) Of use of 1892 to 1924.

ACN in a circle: mark of the manufacturer of guns of rifles NEUPREZ in Liege.

PIRLOT & FRESARD LIEGE: mark of the manufacturer of Liège of the weapon which was installed in Liege, street Saint Gilles, 95 (see our site).

It is about a shotgun to central percussion. The double-juxtaposed barrels are smooth and of gauge 16. The forearm is with push rod. The engraving of locks of the hammerless type is of type “melts hollow” it represents a dragon surrounded by foliage.

The punches, of which some are not very readable, emanate from the proofhouse of Liège, namely:

PV surmounted of a stylized lion: test with the smoke-free powder. 1898/1968.

POK997, 8: weight of the barrel which can draw from the smoke-free powders (smooth weapons).

D = illegible: length of the room in mm and diameter in mm after optional test with the smoke-free powder. 1892/1924.

???/17.0 (Illegible): chokes barrels, gauged in mm with 22cm of the breech and the mouth. 1910/1924.

The weapon also carries engraved to the fine gold, marking EPREUVE A LA POUDRE PYROXILEE (Tested with powder pyroxillee), this kind of powder is a modern powder by comparison of "Black Powder".

It is about a banal pocket revolver of pin of the Lefaucheux type made in Liege in thousands of specimens. The nonalveolate cylinder with six blows is notched for the cartridges with pin. This one is accessible for the loading by the right back door. It carries an engraving of vineleaves. The barrel is round and probably striped with a front sight rectangular. The hammer is with head punt to strike the pins. The metal rod is of standard “nail”. The trigger is folding without trigger guard. The two plates seem to be out of ebony (or false-ebony) and are connected by a central screw to ears.

We use the name “shooting carbine” because of the sighting, a little more elaborate than the classic back-sight, although it is quite crude (in our XXIst century eyes anyway).

There is quite an anachronism between this period of fabrication, and the prize small plates screwed on the butt. The plates, in Danish, come from a first prize given by the Home Ministry in 1871 and from a prize given by the city of Fredericia (Jutland) in 1876. But we have to realize that at this time, metallic cartridges were already used.

First we thought that it was a prize carbine given by the Danish Home Ministry in 1871. But how can the plate form Fredericia in 1876 then been explained? And this plate is followed by another one (also in 1876) with, maybe, the name of the shooter. We also noticed that the screws of the plates are different.

Everything considered, it could be a shooting carbine used – succesfully – up to 1876 by a shooter who got a prize from the Home Ministry in 1871 and another one from the city of Fredericia in 1876.

Anyway, it is a reality that Belgian arms were much used and appreciated far from Belgium.

We had contact with the (very interesting) museum of Arms of Copenhague but they could not help us. In the XIXth century, shooting was very popular, there were a lot of competitions because shooting was then seen as a “national” sport (also for the defence of the country, of course… times change…). And shooting prizes were very various!

Let us also remember that Auguste Francotte made revolvers fort the Danish Cavalry and Danish officers.

Identification 3075

Un classique fusil de chasse juxtaposé hammerless à fermeture à clé « top lever ».

63975 est quasi certainement le n° de l’arme.

Les poinçons :

EL en lettres anglaises : épreuve provisoire depuis 1852

Perron : poinçon d’inspection en vigueur depuis le 16 juin 1853 jusqu’à nos jours

PV sous lion : épreuve à la poudre vive entre le 4 octobre 1898 et le 26 février 1968

12 C dans un losange : calibre 12 (en usage entre 1898 et 1924)

65 mm correspond à la longueur de la chambre et donc des munitions.

X étoilé et V étoilé : contremarques de contrôleurs en usage entre 1877 et 1968

Poinçon ELG dans un ovale sous couronne : acceptation définitive en usage du 11 juillet 1893 à 1968.

Acier Cockerill : le type d’acier utilisé pour les canons.

P 1 kg 288,3 : poids du canon, en vigueur depuis le 30 juin 1924

AF couronné : poinçon d’Auguste Francotte.

Il est signé « Auguste Francotte Breveté à Liège » sur le canon. Voir le site littlegun.be (armes belges, artisans identifiés) pour l’histoire de cette grande dynastie armurière liégeoise qui a produit tant des armes civiles que militaires pendant un peu moins de deux siècles.

Le recoupement théorique des différentes dates donne une date de fabrication de 1924 mais sans garantie aucune. Aucune archive ne reprends les N° de série des armes de Francotte par date de fabrication !!

Alain Daubresse

Identification 3076

Rifle with two barrels, key top lever, with locks, in calibre 9,3 x 74R with stick in walnut shaped and forearm with psh button fabricated by the society Magilissen, successor to Antoine Defourny, engraved by F. DUPONT (signature under the key).

Bradawls:

Peron (steps): applied examination from 1853 to our days.

PV in oval crowned: punch of acceptance for the lively powder since February 26th, 1968.

2880 kg cm2: undoubtedly the pressure supported by cannons.

0004: serial number of the weapon is more than probably.

He should normally have other marks again there on barrels, and also annual letter.

SL could be put in touch with Saroléa in Haccourt, but without guarantee.

Another arms with an identical signature of F. DUPONT is known to us: it is about a gun of Augustin Dardenne (see on the site littlegun. be). This gun is dated of 1959.

We do not have other information on Magilissen, except that a "garnisseur" of the same name existed in a not known period.

Identification 3084

Hello Mr Bradstreet,

Here is the list of all patents of G. Zeller in Belgium as known for the moment.

The patents of G. Zeller still exist at the “Office de la Propriété intellectuelle” in Brussels ( http://www.1819.be/fr/organisations/office-belge-de-la-propriete-intellectuelle-opri ) and whether they can be consulted and copied.

GP & Max

I can ask all these patent to the "Office de la propriété Intellectuelle" but it is not free, it requires 3 euros per patent. (In high resolution)

Alain

1873	033269	1873/09/17	ZELLER G.	Rue de Launay, 2 MOLENBEEK ST-JEAN (B)	Perf	Système de fusil se chargeant par la culasse (brvt ppal n° 028356 du 31/12/1870)
1873	032054	1873/02/21	ZELLER G.	Rue de Launay, 2 MOLENBEEK ST-JEAN (B)	Perf	Modifications apportées au fusil se chargeant par la culasse (brvt ppal n° 028356 du 31/12/1870)
1871	029405	1871/09/28	ZELLER G.	Chaussée de Ninove, 21 BRUXELLES (B)	Perf	Fusil se chargeant par la culasse (brvt ppal n° 028356 du 31/12/1870)
1871	028795	1871/05/19	ZELLER G.	BRUXELLES (B)	Perf	Modifications apportées au fusil se chargeant par la culasse (brvt ppal n° 028356 du 31/12/1870)
1872	030334	1872/04/04	ZELLER G.	Rue de Launay, 2 MOLENBEEK ST-JEAN (B)	Perf	Fusil se chargeant par la culasse (brvt ppal n° 028356 du 31/12/1870)
1877	043476	1877/11/06	ZELLER G.	Fuabourg Vivegnis, 161 LIEGE (B)	Inv.	Fusil se chargeant par la culasse
1871	028941	1871/06/24	ZELLER G.	BRUXELLES (B)	Perf	Modifications apportées au fusil se chargeant par la culasse (brvt ppal n° 028356 du 31/12/1870)
1870	028220	1870/11/12	ZELLER G.	SAINT JOSSE-TEN-NOODE (B)	Inv.	Système de fusil se chargeant par la culasse
1873	033046	1873/08/05	ZELLER G.	Rue de Launay, 2 MOLENBEEK ST-JEAN (B)	Perf	Modifications apportées au fusil se chargeant par la culasse (brvt ppal n° 028356 du 31/12/1870)
1872	031136	1872/09/04	ZELLER G.	Rue de Launay, 2 MOLENBEEK ST-JEAN (B)	Perf	Modifications apportées au fusil se chargeant par la culasse (brvt ppal n° 028356 du 31/12/1870)
1870	028356	1870/12/31	ZELLER G.	Rue de la Senne, 75 BRUXELLES (B)	Inv.	Fusil se chargeant par la culasse

Identification 3085

Pistolet espagnol Imperial

Pistolet espagnol modèle « Imperial » en calibre 6,35 mm fabriqué pour ou par la société José Aldazabal d’Eibar, gravé or et plaquettes de nacre.

Aucune photo d’éventuels poinçons ni de marquage.

La région d’Eibar a inondé le marché de pistolets généralement bon marché et de qualité souvent décriée, surtout avant, pendant et après la 1GM. Près d’un million de pistolets type Ruby et de copies de revolvers (notamment Colt et S&W) en 8 mm ont ainsi été vendus à la France pendant la 1GM.

L’arme en question n’a évidemment pas de destination militaire puisqu’il s’agit d’un pistolet en calibre 6,35 mm souvent appelé « type Eibar » (une copie très simplifiée du Browning 1906 ?).

Selon Ian V. Hogg et John Weeks dans leur livre « Pistols of the World », il semble que les pistolets « Imperial » aient été fabriqués par Tomas de Urizar y Cia d’Eibar pour le compte de la société Hijos de José Aldazabal dont les initiales JA apparaissent sur les plaquettes.

Il y a une sûreté à l’arrière du bâti et un bouton de démontage juste au-dessus de la détente.

L’arme a été gravée or dans le style espagnol (Tolède) typique.

La société Urizar d’Eibar a été active entre 1900 et 1921. Le modèle Imperial daterait de 1914.

A noter que la marque « Imperial » a aussi été déposée par les firmes espagnoles suivantes :

Gregorio Bolumburu et Toribio Zulaica (dépôt officiel n° 20552)

En annexe des photos de pistolets Imperial 1910 et 1914 en version "populaire". Le modèle 1914 est en effet identique au modèle gravé (il est vrai sans l’inscription sur la culasse).

GP et MD

Identification 3087

Il s’agit d’une fabrication “récente” (= arme de traite ou en tout cas d’export ?) d’un fusil à deux coups à percussion, avec des canons en faux damas, une "décoration sommaire" (on n’ose pas dire une gravure) sur les platines arrière, une boîte à amorces dans la crosse. L’inscription (en espagnol ou portugais?) sur les canons n’est pas lisible.

Les poinçons.

L’origine liégeoise ne fait pas de doute.

Perron : 1853 à nos jours

V sous astérisque : contremarque de 1877 à 1968

G sous astérisque : contremarque de 1877 à 1968

EL en lettres anglaises : épreuve provisoire de 1852 à nos jours

13.0 : calibre en mm

ELG dans un ovale : poinçon d'acceptation définitive entre 1846 et 1893

D sous couronne : contremarque d’un contrôleur ?

JD dans ovale : peut-être Jean Duchateau mais sans garantie aucune.

MD dans losange allongé : inconnu jusqu’à présent

Il s’agit d’une arme bon marché et de faible calibre, sans doute destinée à l’exportation, peut-être vers l’Amérique du Sud.

Identification 3092

It is a completely collapsible rifle with English stick, with opening to side key of Leclercq type gauges 12 mm of manufacturing of Liège of them. “The” rifle of poacher by excellence.

The weapon seems in good state, having preserved a good part of its marbling and bronzing of its barrel, octagonal first, then round.

One manufactured thousands of specimens of this kind of weapon, with one or two barrels (generally juxtaposed), in a multiplicity of gauges, especially in .410 or 12 mm like this specimen.

She is signed MEIZER-DUQUENNE LIEGE on the barrel.

One finds the punches usual of the proofhouse of Liège:

The peron (step) : punch of inspection of 1853 to our days

PV under lion: punch of test to the sharp (black) powder, used between on October 4th, 1898 and before February 26th, 1968

G under star: countermark of the controller enters on January 27th, 1877 and before February 26th, 1968.

10.4 are the gauge in mm (what corresponds to the 12 mm or .410)

EL in english letters: provisional test, use since December 21st, 1852

0 kg610 is the weight of the barrel.

The Greek letter "Lambda" is the yearly letter of 1954. Year of manufacture of your weapon.

ELG in a crowned oval is the punch of acceptance since July 11th, 1893 until before February 26th, 1968.

410.65 in the Greek letter Omega gives the nominal gauge and the length of the room, of use since June 30th, 1924.

232 is undoubtedly the serial number of the weapon.

The house MEIZER-DUQUENNE is not taken again in “Who's who arms manufacturer of Liège”, nor in the works of our late friend Guy Gadisseur on publicity in arms manufacture of Liège. One finds via Internet some weapons of this house, of which a rifle of great hunting of the Mauser type on the site littlegun.be, and other rifles Leclercq type.

Identification 3093

It is here about a revolver in 5 shots, not specified calibre, copies the model British Bull-Dog of Philip Webley & Son (see annexed document) by an unknown Belgian producer and with good reason:

On May 23rd, 1881, the firm P. Webley and Son of Birmingham (GB) had deposited in Belgium a trademark «THE BRITISH BULL DOG».

Anecdote: it would seem that the American President James A. Garfield (who will die from his wounds) is assassinated (7/2/1881) by one of these Belgian copies of British Bull-dog in .44.

His design was use as a basis in WEBLEY RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary).

He carries the punches of the proofhouse of Liège:

Spangled ELG in an oval: Applied Acceptance from 1846 till 1893.

R under star: pass of the inspector from 1877 till 1968.

Estimate of the date of manufacture, between 1877 and 1898.

The Belgian producer having left draws no, he will remain therefore anonymous!!

HPH

Identification 3094

Carabine de jardin de fabrication liégeoise, habituellement appelée Warnant, à culasse longue, canon octogonal et crosse à poignée pistolet en 9 mm Flobert. Arme très courante pendant la première moitié du XXe siècle, fabriquée dans plusieurs calibres, les plus courants étant le 6 et le 9 mm Flobert et le .410 (12 mm) à percussion centrale.

Les poinçons : FL 9 mm C sur le côté gauche du canon, indiquant le 9 mm Flobert (percussion annulaire, à balle ou plombs).

ELG dans ovale sous couronne : poinçon d’acceptation post 1893.

Perron : inspection en usage de 1853 à nos jours.

AL* : contremarque du contrôleur, en usage de 1877 à 1968

L'arme a donc été fabriquée entre 1893 et 1968

La marque AS couronnée pourrait donc appartenir à Simonis albert ou Spirlet Albert sans aucune certitude.

D'autant que la marque de Spirlet était souvent dans un losange !!

En ce qui concerne la marque JR, il existe bien un JR correspondant un J. Rosseel de Tilff mais comme il était actif vers 1948, cela nous semble peu vraisemblable (mais pas tout à fait exclu non plus).

8.4 est le diamètre du canon.

976 est sans doute le numéro de fabrication de cette arme qui a été produite à des milliers d’exemplaires par de nombreux fabricants.

Manque à gauche de la culasse le bouton permettant de l’ouvrir facilement.

Identification 3096

It is here about a revolver in 5 blows, calibre .450 (455), carrying the mark "American Settler" deposited by Lucien Clement on January 26th, 1899.

Lucien Clement, producer of weapon in Liege, street Maghin 60 then street Chéri 47 (the same addresses as Charles Clement).

I think that this weapon was rather intended for the market of the Africain colonies: Belgian Congo (American Settler = American colonist).

He carries the marks of the proofhouse of Liege or :

Spangled ELG in oval crowned: Applied Acceptance of from 1893.

B spangled: pass of the inspector from January 27th, 1877.

R (a little bigger than that of the inspector) crowned: mark of check on the rifled handguns from January 30th, 1894 till February 26th, 1968.

24: Number of the weapon, nevertheless it is rather about a number allowing to the filter to reconstruct the weapon.

Estimate of the date of manufacture, between 1899 and 1913 (the theoretical end of the black powder).

HPH

Identification 3097

It is here about a pocket revolver in 6 shots, calibre .320 (7,65 mm), of type Baby or Puppy.

In the absence of definite marking, it is impossible to identify the producer, this type of weapon was manufactured in several thousand copies by dozens producers.

Letters " EP « and " D " would be initials belonging to the producer (artisan or worker) having fabricated the parts where they appear.

He carries the mark of the proofhouse of Liege or :

Spangled ELG in oval crowned: Applied Acceptance of from 1893.

Spangled AT: pass of the inspector from January 27th, 1877.

R (a little bigger than that of the inspector) crowned: mark of check on the rifled handguns from January 30th, 1894 till February 26th, 1968.

37: Number of the weapon, nevertheless it is rather about a number allowing to the filter to reconstruct the weapon.

Estimate of the date of manufacture, between 1894 and 1913 (theoretical end of the black powder).

HPH

Identification 3098

Your revolver is a revolver of the Lefaucheux type says “open frame”, i.e. the top is not fixed at the part postpones weapon, only the low part of the carcass is maintained by a screw with the front part.

Owing to the fact that only a point of fixing maintained the barrel and its console with the remainder of the weapon, these small revolvers were rather fragile.

In the area of Liege hundreds of craftsmen manufactured these weapons per thousand for sale it in many countries.

Its ammunition is a cartridge “pinfire” which existed in gauge 5, 7, 9 and 12mm.

Until the invention of the cartridge with central percussion the ammunition with pin were extremely appreciated.

The calibre more the current is the 7mm, which is probably the case of yours.

This weapon carries only two punches of the proofhouse of Liege (Belgium) which one can define as follows:

Ø Spangled ELG in an oval: final acceptance, of use of 1846 to 1893.

Ø Letter (unreadable) spangled: countermark of controller post 1877.

Therefore, period of manufacture between 1877 and 1893.

The letters "HH" "JM" and "IF" on the metal skeleton are marks of sub contractor.

The manufacturer will remain anonymous because no marking is visible, reassure you that however was often the case on these weapons of poor quality.

Alain

Identification 3099

It is a shotgun juxtaposed of type Anson and Deeley of gauge 16, with a pistol stick with cheek and a forearm with push rod, with key of opening top rising.

Markings

Cockerill steel: type of steel used to manufacture the guns.

16-65 in an omega: gauge 16 and length of the room 65 mm.

ELG on asterisk in a crowned oval: test enters on July 11th, 1893 and 1968

Peron (step): inspection since 1853.

EL in English letters : Provisional test since 1852.

Choke 16.4

Z under star: countermark of the controller of use of 1877 to 1968.

Greek letter delta (without warranty): yearly letter of 1958, which could thus be the year of the manufacturing of this rifle.

I or JC could be the brand of the manufacturer of barrels Joseph Cap.

JF: perhaps the initial ones of Janssen Frères or the Workshops J. Falla.

Lion on PV: test with the smoke-free powder enters on October 4th, 1898 and on February 26th, 1968.

1kg217 is the weight of the barrel which can draw from the smoke-free powders (since June 30th, 1924 until our days).

N in one ecu is the Czech punch for the individual test of the unrifled bore weapons charged by the breech with the smoke-free powder.

The presence of the Czech punch seems to be the proof that the weapon was represented with the test in this country.

Identification 3100

Is it about a long rifle of gauge 10 (canardière?) juxtaposed with external hammers, stick half-pistol and single forearm, marked Imperial Belgium Damascus on the tape between the barrels and Janssen Arms C° on the lock.

Markings

EL in English letters: provisional test since 1852.

Peron: inspection since 1853.

V under star: countermark of the controller since 1877.

10 C in vertical rhombus: gauge weapon.

19.0: gauge in mm: it is a little strange insofar as a gauge 10 fact “normally” 19.7 mm; but as one can also read registration “choke bored”, this undoubtedly explains that.

ELG in oval under crown: acceptance between 1893 and 1968.

36976 undoubtedly the number of the weapon.

The weapon is obviously of quality poor and the barrels are certainly not in Damas, notwithstanding commercial registration on the tape. This commercial registration is allotted either to Henri Pieper (of which rifles were sold with this registration in the United States via T. Barker), or in Janssen Fils and C°, which is more probable in the case which occupies to us being given the presence of Janssen Arms C° on the turntable.

It is thus undoubtedly about one of these thousands - even hundreds of thousands - rifles of Liège of less quality exported towards the United States before the 1e World war, sold at the time between 10 and 20 dollars, while a rifle of quality was sold minimum 100 dollars.

Identification 3101

It is about a single-barrelled gun of gauge 4 with central percussion, closing by key on the trigger guard and with external dog on a back turntable. The gun seems to be in Damas.

Markings

V under star: countermark of the controller since 1877.

EL in English letters: provisional test since 1952.

Peron (Little step): inspection since 1853.

ELG in oval under crown: acceptance between 1893 and 1968

4 C in a vertical rhombus: gauge weapon (either 26 mm).

AP under star: countermark of the controller since 1877.

JJ: not identified. Admittedly, the Jacquemart Workshops signed JJ, but their working life (end of the Forties) does not correspond – in our opinion – to that of the weapon.

GM (?) under crown: not identified.

Choke 216/232: choké barrel: cal in mm to 22 cm of the breech and the mouth. In use from February 1910 to June 1924.

The weapon was thus probably manufactured between 1910 and 1924. It was undoubtedly intended for hunting for waterfowl.

Identification 3103

Pistolet de tir à un coup, canon basculant, fermeture Tranter, finition noire, crosse noyer quadrillée, bascule jaspée avec hausse et guidon suisses, portant les poinçons réglementaires du banc d’épreuves de LIEGE, à savoir :

ELG sur étoile dans un ovale couronné : acceptation définitive post 1893.

C étoilé : contremarque du contrôleur post 1877.

Perron : poinçon de l’inspecteur du Banc d’Epreuves en usage de 1853 à nos jours.

R couronné : canon rayé, en usage de 1894 à 1968.

L’arme porte également la marque .22L qui signifie qu’elle est de calibre 22 long (6 mm) annulaire.

RW : vraisemblablement les initiales de l’artisan/ouvrier ayant fabriqué la carcasse

Belgique : sans commentaire

Le fabricant : Meyers-Coune Henri, armurier à Cheratte, il dépose en 1913 deux brevets pour un système de pistolet par déflagration des gaz, combinant le recul en trois endroits et à mouvement de détente inverse ainsi qu’un nouveau dispositif applicable aux armes automatiques. En annexe extrait d’un catalogue de 1909 de la manufacture d’armes L. Ancion-Marx (LAM) ou la même arme figure sous la référence 23TH

HPH

Identification 3111

Skeletal Leclercq stick

It is about a collapsible rifle standard Leclercq with skeletal stick gauges .38 of them Remington of manufacturing inhabitant of Liège.

Markings

Perron (little step) : inspection since 1853

C under star: countermark of the controller since 1877

38 Remington: the ammunition used

326896 undoubtedly the number of manufacturing of the weapon.

There are certainly other punches under the barrel but they were not photographed. In theory, it is enough to push the button close to the screw to make fold the barrel completely (and to see the punches well).

This kind of Leclercq rifle was abundantly produced in Liege, in a large number of gauges. More rarely with such a skeletal stick. The polished and partially gilded completion is certainly not origin.

The .38 Remington (approximately 9.6 mm) with annular percussion is not current in Belgium; it was extremely widespread between 1870 and 1900 in the United States, so much for revolvers than of the rifles and the production ceased before 1940. The cartridge existed in version shorts, length, extra-long and with leads.

It would be necessary to measure the diameter of the barrel to the chamber because it seems higher to me than 9.6 mm, but it is perhaps only one impression…

It is quasi certainly about a production for export towards the United States.

The lock seems me to be of hammerless type although the photographs are hardly explicit in this place!! I thus have a doubt?

The opening is practiced by pressing two pedals placed on both sides console, system corresponding to a patent n° 064421 of the 8.3.1884 of Léonard WARNANT-FRANQUET (see technical drawing in appendix).

The rifled bore is round with a rectangular higher band carrying a back sight in half-moon.

SEL under a small triangle: isn't the reading of this mark certain, that could just as easily be BEL?? This mark was not discovered in the book of markings arms manufacturers of Liège!

L crowned: this mark should be the mark of the foundry in theory having produced this cylinder but this information could not still be confirmed.

These weapons of average manufacture were produced in thousands of specimens for export. They were sold most of the time by batches of 100 parts. They were never accompanied by any holsters. Your specimen is not thus origin but subsequently added in the country of purchase of your weapon.

The punches teach us that the weapon was manufactured in LIEGE between 1910 and 1924.

New Haven Arms is probably a trademark fictitious because it does not appear in documentation, just like the word INTERCHANGEABLE which us was already announced on the mark REGENT ARMS quite as unknown!

These fictitious denominations were not rare in LIEGE at this time, they were probably intended to mislead the customs of the countries of South America large importers of weapons of Liege. It’s also probable that the import duties were important! The traffic of weapons was currency running fine of the XIXe beginning of the XXe century.

For the small history, documentation gives a report on a mark REGENT allotted in 1913 to the manufacturer SCHNORRENBERG W & Fils street of the South, 5 in Brussels. We are unaware of if there is correlation between these elements?

Il s’agit d’un pistolet à percussion centrale, à répétition manuelle et à bloc descendant qui ressemble assez fort au bien connu pistolet REFORM.

Les 4 canons sont superposés et le calibre n’a pas été communiqué, du 6,35 vraisemblablement.

Comme les poinçons l’indiquent, l’arme a été fabriquée à LIEGE. Elle ne porte aucune marque de fabricant ni de brevet ce qui semble indiquer une copie ou une adaptation.

L’arme porte une jolie gravure en fond creux représentant à gauche une couronne (royale ?) et des feuilles de chênes et à droite une croix pattée entourée de deux glaives.

Les plaquettes en bois de noyer ( ?) sont également sculptées de feuilles de chênes.

L’arme porte les poinçons réglementaires du banc d’épreuves de Liège, à savoir :

PV surmonté d’un lion stylisé : épreuve à la poudre sans fumée, en usage de 1898 à 1968.

ND – ML et FL sous une plaquette, sont des marques de sous-traitant non identifiés.

Ces canons en damas de type OXFORD sont à âme lisse et de calibre 12 ou 17,4 mm.

Les platines sont de type « en avant », les chiens sont extérieurs, la clé TOP entre ceux-ci.

Je n’ai pu déchiffrer le motif de la plaque de couche (en corne moulée ou en gutta-percha)

L’arme porte les poinçons réglementaires du banc d’épreuves de Liège, à savoir :

SCH surmonté d’un lion stylisé : épreuve facultative à la poudre sans fumée (Schultze),

P 1K535, 2 : poids du canon pouvant tirer des poudres sans fumée (arme lisse), en usage

D = ?????? (illisible sur la photo) Longueur de la chambre en mm et diamètre en mm

HENRI PIEPER A LIEGE : marque du fabricant, rue des Bayards à LIEGE (voir sa fiche sur le site).

Canon OXFORD Extra (si bien lu ?) Grand Prix de Paris 1880 : sans commentaires.

SPECIALE EMPLOI POUDRE BLANCHE : se disait de la poudre vive par opposition à la poudre noire.

La fermeture se fait à l’aide d’une clé placée sous le pontet de sous-garde.

Les platines sont « en arrière » et les chiens extérieurs à percuteurs apparents.

ELG sur étoile dans un ovale vertical : acceptation définitive en usage de 1846 à 1893.

18.2 17.4 : canons chokés : calibrés en mm à 22 cm de la culasse et à la bouche.

Période de fabrication : les poinçons ci-dessus, nous indique une période de fabrication allant de 1898 à 1910.

SYSTEME H. ROCHATTE BREVETE A PARIS : indique que cette arme est au système ROCHATTE mais j’ignore de quoi il s’agit n’ayant pas accès aux brevets français.

Fabrication : il était très fréquent que les industriels armuriers français du XIXe siècle viennent faire fabriquer leurs armes à LIEGE ou la main d’œuvre était nombreuse, qualifié et moins cher que partout ailleurs !

To give an idea: gauge 12 fact a little more than 18 mm (gun without choke, as the machine which undoubtedly occupies us), a gauge 16 fact a little less than 17 Misters the 17.2 COULD be a gauge 16 (with the accent on the conditional one).

As for LRE: there are thirty pages of arms manufacturers whose name starts with L… in Jarlier/Buignier: not the time of all to read!

Rifle with percussion of the ID 1918 is a traditional piston rifle of cal 16 manufactured in Saint Etienne.

The punch of test is that in function between 1869 and 1879, which is very late for a rifle with percussion, and makes me think of a rifle export or of draft, because it is of very ordinary quality, without squares, engraving and with a barrel in iron.